Massage therapy consists of a set of different maneuvers performed on the body in order to improve the situation at the muscle or joint level . Let’s find out better.

>   What is m assotherapy

>   How it works

>   What ailments it treats

>   For whom  m assotherapy is meant

>   The law in Italy and abroad

>   Associations and reference bodies

What is massage therapy

Massage therapy is an ancient form of therapy that consists of a set of different maneuvers performed on the body to be able to soothe muscle or joint pain, relieve muscle tension and fatigue, to tone the volume of some tissues and obviously also improves the psychic well-being of the subject.

Massage therapy brings benefits to the entire body such as, for example, improvements in blood and lymphatic circulation, muscle relaxation, well-being and relaxation.

The first testimonies relating to therapeutic massage date back to the times of classical Greece: it seems that Hippocrates practiced it to combat ailments related to old age. Therapeutic massage then spread to military and sports environments.

Today there are four main currents that originate from this technique: the Swedish method, the German method, the French method and the Spanish chiromassage .

How does it work?

This type of holistic rehabilitation and preventive medicine is carried out through naked massage, with the use of the hands and with oils, creams, talc, light fabrics or other products and tools that are ideal for the skin to be treated.

Quality of contact, energy exchange, power of communication: all these factors come together in the massage. At each session the correspondence between the epidermis and the nervous system is made sacred and honored: by touching a person it is possible to establish contact with his mind and communicate fully with the body.

The different massage techniques can be divided into: brushing, rubbing, friction, kneading, pressure, percussion and vibration . Each of these maneuvers has its specific function, from relaxation to the treatment of edema or vascular defects with relative improvement. Massage therapy often focuses on the back and neck, with lumbar massage therapy and cervical massage therapy respectively. We will therefore have a decontracting massage, a cryotherapy massage, a Cyriax massage and a Knap massage.

Massage therapy produces a significant improvement in blood circulation, is relaxing and manages to relieve pain with a sedative effect. It not only improves lymphatic circulation but relieves muscle contractures.

What ailments massage therapy treats

It is a technique that is used to reduce fatigue and stress or the consequence of severe trauma, to increase the recovery capacity of athletes and to relax the muscles; there is also a better vascularization as well as a better trophism and the elasticity of the skin is increased.

In general, massage therapy determines a state of great relaxation at the psychophysical level, improves some specific functions, and a sedative and pain-relieving effect is obtained.

There are various types of massage therapy massages, from those of the Chinese Tui-Na tradition , to those combined with water, which facilitates drainage, which mass-hydrotherapy deals with , just to name a few.

What is psychosomatic massage therapy?

Who is massage therapy designed for?

Massage therapy can be very functional for those suffering from poor blood and lymphatic circulation, for those who have muscle contractures or simply want to bring relaxation to the body.

Good results can be obtained in case of neck and back pain , for the treatment of post-operative scars.

Massage therapy also has contraindications, so it is better to always seek the advice of a doctor and avoid it in the case of: fever, infectious diseases, early pregnancy, high blood pressure, inflammation, bone fractures, skin problems such as skin rash, wounds, bruises , blisters, burns or vein diseases such as thrombophlebitis and phlebothrombosis.

The law in Italy and abroad

In Italy there is some confusion regarding the law protecting unconventional therapies and disciplines. Back in 1928, through a Royal Decree (RD 31.05.1928, n. 1334, Art. 1), the figure of the Massager and Head Lifeguard (MCB) of the hydrotherapy establishments was established.

The massage therapist, in terms of denomination, is a relatively recent figure, coming after many others, as a masseur, masseur and head lifeguard, physiokinesitherapist, massophysiotherapist, rehabilitation therapist.

Having abrogated or fallen into disuse the old professional figures established through legislative acts of the State, the regions – to which professional training is delegated, with the exception of that relating to the health professions – have variously legislated on the subject , but in general they have limited the activity of the massage to the beauty and wellness area.

This profession is highly appreciated and recognized in other countries, such as France, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria, and in Eastern Europe.

Associations and reference bodies

In Italy there are various bodies and associations that protect the profession of massage therapist, such as AIM (Italian Association of Massage Therapists) which reports the list of accredited schools and many other useful information.